Leaderboard

Since my Zuk insurance claim is dragging on, I need a toy whilst that mess gets sorted out. So with very tight budget and strict requirements - small, convertible, capable and no rot - I purchased this 1995 YJ from Saint John NB and drove it the 5 hours home.....it made it without any issues. 1995 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 manual transmission with a brand new clutch 4.5 R/C suspension 1 1/4 body lift One ton steering Front Dana 30 HP with 4.10 Gears front locker 8500 lb Which 35" MT/Rs - exactly same as the Zuk!! Tub is in great shape and has some repairs, but it's been done right and is solid. The trunk floor was also redone with 3/16 plate. Frame has also been patched.....it's a nearly 30 year old Heep LOL Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but pickings are extremely thin, and as we know people are asking silly money for absolute junk. It came with full doors, half doors, multiple soft tops (2x regular, a bikini, a deck lid & a windjammer), hardtop Overall seems to wheel exactly as it should. 4LO is geared nice and lo - I was actually mostly in 2nd and 3rd whilst wheeling it the other day. Plans: It just needs some tidying up and maintenance I might plastidip the grill cover I might see if I can get some better flares/flat fenders as the 35's rub on the plastic flares and rear tub wheel arch (only at full stuff) I might build a tire carrier off the back bumper (it's 2x4) Parking brake is inop, so I plan on converting the foot brake to a hand brake using an XJ handbrake lever

Sourced a complete D35 and swapped it out. Yes I know, D35. But I don't plan on going build crazy on this thing. Fixed the pinion angle in the process. It had a bad DS vibe under hard acceleration as the pinion was pointing up too much. I think that's how I broke it... when a rock climb rolled the pinion too high due to soft leafs. Also added brackets for my hi lift, and something I should have done years ago.... welded corner brackets to the floor for a metal storage box. No more loose tools and parts

Alright, ran the Holland Rd to 102 Weigh Scale trail, which I've run a few times in the dry....well this was a few hours after torrential rain. It was a challenge! 1/5th of the way in and you get to the foot of the 1st hill climb. There are 2 routes; Left: a gnarly washout with boulders and lots of off-camber. This is the route we've taken in the Zuk before. Right: trail (was) just wide enough to squeeze a JK through So, being host, I went 1st and took the usual washout route. Now, halfway up the washout there are 2 spots with deep holes and big rocks. I got my right rear tire lodged in a big hole, and had to pull cable before the Jeep rolled over. I also popped my front right tire off the bead in the process. Now at the top of the washout, it was Ben's turn in his JK, which he made up the wet rutted tree root laden hill with some spotting. Dave was next. Since he is currently fully open diffs, we had to pull cable and there was some RPMs to help him on his way up the hill. He also busted a side mirror on a tree. Robbie was last, and had no issues. Whilst at the top of the washout, I noticed my Jeep wasn't charging. Now, this isn't a new problem as I've replaced 4x 50A alternator fuses so far. I couldn't find a fuse, so after making a jumper I was charging again. After a short drive up the hill, there is another nice obstacle to climb over. Last time I was there the Zuk climbed it, and the JK I was with had to use the bypass. I blew the rear driveshaft ujoint cap bolts whilst trying it. So that was the end of the trip. But, there's more! On the way down, we all took the tight non-washout trail. I was fine, just scraped a tree or 2. Ben on the other had, smashed his JK hardtop up pretty bad on the tree knot, and we ended up having to cut some trees to help him get out. Robbie busted a rear light assembly (just clips) So, a usually tight and technical trail ended up producing a fair amount of winching and some carnage. So, what's next for the Jeep. The front locker is making a loud noise clunck when it unlocks under load - probably normal operation. Will check diff oil, and/or shavings on the drain plug. Check the transfer case - not a drop of oil came out of it with the driveshaft removed - it's open splined Lesson learned - 12PSI is way way too low on this one!! Look into ujoint strap failure Check pinion angle - looks too steep! Measure flange input/output angles. Maybe try find a Ford 8.8 with 4.10s - stronger than D35...maybe if I keep the Jeep. Don't want to go full size! 4.5" RC leafs too soft - axle wrap? Build anti-wrap bar? Replace leafs with non RC junk (they ride so good tho LOL) v Beef up the ujoint straps using ubolts - trying this now

yup, Systems Engineering means long days at the keyboard, and that was the main reason to buy it...to get out And 2 months in to my claim and I'm starting to escalate to managers, with no end in sight.